When spring arrives, it can feel like a world of travel opportunities is opening up in front of you.
Faced with a huge amount of choice as the northern hemisphere begins to warm up, where should you look for inspiration? We might have something to help.
As part of its annual Spring Break Travel Outlook report, major booking platform Expedia has revealed which international destinations are the most popular based on flight searches by its users.
The full list features a few of the usual suspects in North America but also a surprise destination or two from Europe and Asia.
Here’s where people are hungry to travel to this spring:
7. Barcelona, Spain
Nestled in the most visited region in all of Spain, Barcelona is a city with few equals around Europe.
Spring is one of the best times to visit Barcelona as the costs will be lower, and you’ll also avoid the infamous overcrowding that has been blighting the city in recent summers.
March also plays host to the Barcelona Beer Festival (22-24) and the Sant Medir Festival (3 March) where floats will parade along the streets and free candy is handed out.
6. Rome, Italy
Rome is a beautiful and fascinating city that requires a lot of walking if you want to see everything.
This is why spring is a great time to visit, with average temperatures usually sitting around 55F in March and April, so you won’t melt while trying to take it all in.
Compared to a summer average of 80F, it is much more pleasant to see outdoor attractions such as the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
5. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Ever popular with American travelers, Punta Cana is an ideal spring hideout.
With warm and sunny Caribbean weather, stunningly clean and beautiful beaches, and a host of excellent all-inclusive hotels, it’s easy to see why.
Each year it seems there are more reasons to consider visiting Punta Cana, such as a planned new train route linking it with Santo Domingo, and several new resorts scheduled to be opened over the coming months.
4. Paris, France
Ahh, Paris in the spring. Does it get any more romantic?
Well, maybe. But Paris is still a wonderful place to head to during the upcoming season.
This year, in particular, it may save you money to visit in spring before the inevitable hotel price hike this summer when the Olympic Games comes to town.
The city really comes to life during March and April, with many of its major sights enhanced by the blooming of pretty blossoms and other flowers.
And with more non-stop flights from the U.S. being added all the time, this is your sign to consider Paris.
3. London, United Kingdom
If London has been on your bucket list for a while now, then spring is a great time to tick it off.
The capital city of the United Kingdom always ranks among the world’s most visited cities thanks to its huge array of attractions and events – both of which step things up a few gears in spring.
London hosts excellent St Patrick’s Day celebrations on March 17, while the Spring Festival of Light theme park (through May 8) is a family-friendly attraction near Brent Cross Shopping Center.
2. Tokyo, Japan
The curveball in this list is the Japanese megacity that seems to be at the top of everyone’s bucket list.
Tripadvisor recently listed Tokyo as one of the top trending destinations in 2024 for good reason: people just can’t seem to get enough of the idea of Japan.
Spring is the ideal time to visit as you may get a chance to see the famous Sakura cherry blossom, which occurs from late March into early April.
Head to one of Tokyo’s many gardens or temple complexes to see it in full bloom.
1. Cancun, Mexico
What more can you say about Cancun?
It’s one of the world’s most popular beach destinations for so many reasons – and that list just keeps on growing.
Being within a stone’s throw of some of the best beaches in the world, having the benefit of an ever-growing range of all-inclusive resorts to choose from, and an ease of travel that is being enhanced with more flights and the introduction of the Maya Train – how can any self-respecting traveler resist?
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